G7 names Iran responsible for tanker attack in Arabian Sea

Published on : 08/06/2021 – 21:51

“All available evidence clearly points to Iran,” G7 foreign ministers said in a joint statement on Friday (August 6th). They denounced a “deliberate and targeted attack” without “any justification” against an oil tanker belonging to an Israeli billionaire, which left two dead on July 29 in the Arabian Sea.

“Iran’s behavior, as well as its support for relay forces and armed non-state actors, threatens international peace and security,” hammered the seven ministers (United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan) and the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell.

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On July 29, the MT Mercer Street, an oil tanker run by a company owned by an Israeli billionaire, was the target of an attack off the coast of Oman, which resulted in the death of a British security guard and ‘a Romanian crew member. The United States, the United Kingdom and Israel have already pointed the finger at Tehran, which has denied.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised a “collective response” and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also assured that his government was working on it. Iran has meanwhile warned that it will retaliate against any “adventurism” after threats from Israel and the United States.

“We call on all relevant actors to play a constructive role in strengthening stability and peace in the region,” the G7 stressed.

For years, Israel and Iran have clashed directly or indirectly in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. But in recent months, this rivalry has spilled over into the sea with the emergence of a mysterious series of sabotages and attacks.

With AFP